Abe’s Trail Trek – Drake Lake

November 16, 2019

Based on your comments and Tri Smarter standards of quality we have moved Abe’s Trail Trek from Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site to what the locals call Panther Creek.

Panther Creek, is One of Illinois’ largest public access areas, Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area (JEPC) in central Illinois is a mosaic of mature forest land, agricultural land, grassland and rare hill prairie that is home to a rich assortment of wildlife.

Please do not fear there is NO Hunting in the area we will be running on Race Day, the Site Manager assures us we are safe to run without arrows flying or Blaze Orange needed.

New this year besides the Venue of Panther Creek at Drake Lake, are the Amazing New Courses, A Simple Taste Catering providing BBQ and Sides, New Custom Shirts from Anvil and more you need to experience firsthand on the trails.

We have been working with the site manager and have created all new courses for the 5k, Quarter Marathon and Half Marathon Trail Runs that showcase the interior of this Illinois Gem.

All courses include groomed double track trails with many features that will provide a challenging and enjoyable run through this beautiful site.

Features include lakeside runs, hills, valleys, creek crossings, wildlife and the chance to see a part of this site many never see since you have to get out of your car to enjoy the nature.

In addition to new courses we will have new shirts, new food vendors and much more to bring this classic event back to the grandeur of the past years.

Although this is the 8th year all courses are new and will challenge you no matter which distance you participate, the 5k, 10k (6.55 mile) or Half Marathon.

We offer more awards for the 5k, unique handmade awards for the 10k and Half Marathon and Finisher Medals for the Half Marathon.

All runners get a custom; long sleeve T-shirt, on course support and trails not typical for central Illinois.

The Fastest Overall Males and Females for the 10k and Half Marathon receive Wine from West of Wise Winery and all runners can hydrate post run with Prairie Farms Chocolate Milk.

Come help us hit the 400 runners goal and be part of this epic event at Jim Edgar Panther Creek SFWA (Panther Creek).

5k Map
The 5k race follows the Yellow 3.1mile Course. The 5K course is 3.1 miles but different from previous years, so enjoy the challenge. There are ups/downs, creeks, prairie and woods to Trek through.

The 5k runners will begin in the parking lot to allow everyone to line up and more importantly get into a single file line going around the boat ramp and lake once you start.

There will be plenty of room to pass on the Double Track trails once in the woods so please use caution until the woods.

Before the boat ramp you will pass the Shelter and can wave hi and by to your family and friends before your Trek into the woods.

Once around the boat ramp you turn right and follow the YELLOW Ribbons and Signs across the Drake Lake dam, into the woods to the creek crossing which might be wet or dry.

After crossing the creek you follow the YELLOW markings right on the trail to Geiss Pond.

At the pond parking lot you will pass the Toilets and the picnic shelter following the loop trail just past the shelter then turn around and head back on same trail.

You will continue less than a mile to the right turn up the hill to the highest point on the trail then head back down to the creek crossing.

Once across the creek you begin the climb out to the prairie trail leading to the descent into the valley behind Drake Lake.

Once the descent is complete you are below the dam and now need to climb up the hill to the Finish.

Water is at Start and miles .9, 1.7, 2.1 and Start/Finish at Geiss Pond Shelter.

6.55 Mile Loop – Quarter Marathon = 1 Loop

Half Marathon = 2 Loops

The Quarter Marathon and Half Marathon runners will begin in the parking lot to allow everyone to line up and more importantly get into a single file line going into the woods around Drake Lake.

Before entering the woods you will pass the Shelter and can wave hi and by to your family and friends before your Trek into the woods

There will be plenty of room to pass on the Double Track trails once in the woods so please use caution until the woods.

You now proceed on the trail around Drake Lake for about a mile to the 1st water stop.

Proceeding on the trail following Orange markings you will travel on minor rollers twisting and turning to water stop 2 and 3

You now leave the Drake Lake trail heading a few miles away to Geiss Pond going down a hill to the creek crossing, which may be wet or dry.

After crossing the creek you follow the Orange markings right on the trail to Geiss Pond.

At the pond parking lot you will pass the Toilets and the picnic shelter (water stop) following the loop trail just past the shelter then turn around and head back on same trail.

You will continue less than a mile to the right turn up the hill to the highest point on the trail then head back down to the creek crossing.

Once across the creek you begin the climb out to the prairie trail leading to the descent into the valley behind Drake Lake.

Once the descent is complete you are below the dam and now need to climb up the hill to the Finish.

Water is at the Start and miles .8, 2.4, 3.8, 5.0, 6.0 for the Quarter Marathon and the same plus miles 6.8, 8.4, 9.8, 11 and 12 and at the Start/Finish. There will be Hammer HEED, gels, chips, pretzels, cola and Hammer Endurolytes at the stops.

Awards and Ceremony

The 5k, 10k and Half Marathon runners will have awards presented during the post race ceremony at the shelter.

The 5K awards will be presented at approximately 10:30, the 10K awards will be presented at approximately 11:30 & the half marathon will be done earlier at approximately 11:15.

Showers will be available at the campground up the hill. Camping is available for tents, campers and cabins on site as are hotel rooms at River Bank Lodge in Petersburg.

5k awards will be given to the top 3 overall male and female runners. Awards will also be given to the 1st place finisher in the following age groups for both male and female. Under 14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, etc.

10k awards will be given to the top 3 overall male and female runners. Awards will also be given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finisher in the following age groups for both male and female. Under 14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, etc.

Half Marathon awards will be given to the top 3 overall male and female runners. Awards will also be given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finisher in the following age groups for both male and female. Under 14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, etc.

Timing

Your bib will have a highlighted color swatch to remind you of your race color-coding and a timing tag. Please do not bend or remove the timing tag or you won’t be timed. Chips must be returned when you finish or you will be charged $25.

We will order some extras but they will go quick so if you want a shirt in your size register now.

On line registration will close Thursday the 14th at 6pm.

You can still register at both packet pickups but no shirt or SWAG is guaranteed.

SHINRIN – YOKU

Shinrin – yoku is a term that means “taking in the forest atmosphere” or “forest bathing”.

It was developed in Japan during the 1980’s and has become a cornerstone of preventive health care and healing in Japanese medicine.

Researchers have established a robust body of scientific literature on the health benefits of spending time in a living forest. Now their research is helping to establish shinrin – yoku and forest bathing throughout the world.

The idea is simple: if a person simply visits a natural area there are calming, rejuvenating and restorative benefits to be achieved.

We have always known this intuitively. But in the past several decades there have been many scientific studies that re demonstrating the mechanism behind the healing effects of simply being in the wild and natural areas.

The scientifically proven benefits of Shinrin – yoku include:

Boosted immune system functioning, with an increase in the count of the body’s Natural Killer cells

Reduced blood pressure

Reduced stress

Improved mood

Increased energy level

Increased ability to focus, even in children with ADHD

Accelerated recovery from surgery or illness

Improved sleep

Just as impressive are the results that we are experiencing as we make the part of our regular practice:

Deeper and clearer intuition

Increased flow of energy

Increased capacity to communicate with the land and its species

Increased flow of eros/life force

Deepening friendships

Overall increase in sense of happiness

We recognize that forest therapy approaches such as Shinrin – yoku have roots in many cultures throughout history. John Muir wrote, “ Thousands of tired, over civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home”.

Race Day Additional Information

November 16, 2019

Abe’s Trail Trek 5k,10k/Quarter Marathon, Half Marathon

ALL EVENTS GO ON REGARDLESS OF WEATHER (lightning may delay the event start). YOU ARE A TRAIL RUNNER, NOT A ROAD RUNNER; WE GET WET, COLD, MUDDY and FALL DOWN (tuck and roll). HOWEVER, WE GET UP AND KEEP ON, KEEPIN’ ON.

Race day registrations will be accepted but no shirt is guaranteed. No shirts or awards will be mailed. Slow down, hang out and enjoy the venue, bonfires, music and claim your award.

Racers must show their PHOTO ID to pick up packets

NO ID, NO RACING, NO EXCEPTIONS. HARASSING VOLUNTEERS IS CAUSE FOR IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL BY RACE DIRECTOR. YOU CANNOT PICK UP ANYONE ELSES PACKET.

NO WIMPS OR WHINERS.

It is your responsibility to know your course. All attempts have been made to make your event safe and successful, however, only you can make this happen. We have cleared trails, mitigated obstacles, installed directional signs and color coded course ribbons, briefed volunteers, posted maps, explained courses, provided safety personnel and done our best.

However, there may still be hazards on the course do to the dynamic nature of trail runs.

Your safety and success depends on knowing the courses and your abilities. Run fit, smart and be aware of the terrain.

Although this is a RRCA sanctioned event for everyone’s safety you will be running on the right and passing on the left unless directed otherwise by signage, volunteers or cones. All courses are primarily double-track so they are fast and passing is possible. Please remember to run on the right and pass on the left.

There are two areas on the courses where two-way traffic may occur. Signs will be posted alerting you to these areas. Traffic could be coming and going so be aware.

Listening Devices & Distractions

Based on RRCA rules, no listening devices, dogs or strollers will be permitted on the courses. While these may aid your training, they make you and others around you unsafe on race day. You will be disqualified if you choose to ignore the rule. Safety of everyone on the courses is our #1 goal. Keep your tunes for training. NO EXCEPTIONS, NO DEBATES, NO REFUNDS.

Race Day Parking

Race day parking is in the main lot at Drake Lake, east of the Site Office.

Follow the parking signs and volunteers directions. You can park parallel on the right side only of Gurney Rd, the lake entrance road. Please keep two wheels on the road.

First Aid/Medical

Medical personnel will be running in all events. The Rescue Squad and Police will be on site and can be reached by calling 911. You will be in Cass County for the event and cell phone reception is very weak and not consistent.

Hydration/Restrooms/Showers

Water and Hammer Nutrition HEED will be available at the Start, at water stops and at the Finish Line.

5k water stops are located at approx. mile .9, 1.7, 2.1 and Start/Finish.

A Hammer gel will be provided to Half Marathon runners and will be available at water stops on the Half Marathon course. There will also be chips, pretzels, oranges, bananas, and endurolytes at most stops.

In keeping with tradition, the Shelter at Geiss Pond Parking Lot /Water Stop will have BACON that you will be smelling for miles.

Restrooms are located at the Start Line and at the Geiss Pond Parking lot and Shelter.

Showers are available at the site campgrounds. You will need to drive your own vehicle to the showers.

Beginner Information and Site Maps

While every attempt has been made to remove, clear and/or mark manmade or natural hazards, they still exist. Be mindful of each step and look approximately 3-5 feet ahead at the trail. This allows you to place your next step and avoid trip hazards.

Please review the Course Maps on the website and at the packet pickups. It is your responsibility to know your course.

Courses

Please review the run course routes on the website map. There may be slight differences on race day, don’t fret it, roll with it. Volunteers will be present at all key points on the courses providing direction.

Since all courses are on trails there might be distance discrepancies. We have utilized a track and field wheel six times with four different runners, we have used GPS units in the spring and fall and we have ran and biked with GPS units and each time varying distances were achieved.

Bottom line distances may not be exact 5, 10 or Half Marathon but everyone in your event covered the same distance. We do not need to hear what your GPS stated, we have spent days reading GPS data, it varies. Welcome to trail running, we are casual and there are things we just accept and move on.

Course Hazards and You

It is your responsibility to know your course. All attempts have been made to make your event safe and successful, however, only you can make this happen. We have cleared trails, mitigated or removed obstacles, installed directional signs and color-coded course ribbons, briefed volunteers, posted maps, explained courses, provided safety personnel and done our best. However, there may still be hazards on the course do to the dynamic nature of trail runs. Your safety and success depends on knowing the courses and your abilities. Run fit, smart and be aware of the terrain.

Course Marking

5K course follows high visibility YELLOW ribbons and signs

10K course follows ORANGE ribbons and signs

Half Marathon course follows ORANGE ribbons and signs

Finish Line Area

Please keep clear of the orange cones providing a pathway for the runners. There is ample viewing area to see your runners all along the course and Finish.

We are still finalizing details, so please keep checking this website for emerging details and SWAG updates.

We look forward to seeing you in November. Keep in mind there is absolutely no hunting of any kind, at any time in this nature site. Come run fast in central Illinois. No blaze orange required.

Abe’s Trail Trek is being held to raise funds for local groups, teams and the Local Rescue Squad and to maintain this majestic site. Come join in the history of the site’s past and be a part of its future.

2020 Triathlons

Don’t forget to sign up for the Abe’s Mini and Pioneer Sprint Triathlons in May.

The site, including the former Panther Creek Conservation Area, now totals 16,550 acres. Formerly known as Site M, it was acquired by the State of Illinois from Commonwealth Edison after the company abandoned plans for a coal-fired power plant and cooling lake in Cass County. Since 1993, IDNR has developed the site for conservation and recreation, adding hundreds of acres of native and cool season grasses, habitat strips and trees on former pasture, idling hundreds of other acres allowed to move towards forest through natural succession.

Sport fishing opportunities are available at Gridley Lake (25 acres opened 1998), Prairie Lake (210 acres, opened 2002) and Drake Lake (35 acres opened in 2003). Several ponds within the site also have been renovated. Stream fishes include largemouth bass, bluegill and green sunfish, along with shiners, chubs and minnows, with muskie stocked in Prairie Lake. Northern pike have been added to Gridley Lake, which is also stocked for spring and fall trout fishing seasons.

The site has 24 miles of mountain bike trails, a three-mile hiking/jogging trail, 26 miles of equestrian trails, and extensive camping opportunities, including the Prairie Lake campground with 84 campsites and nine cabins available, along with a dedicated equestrian campground with 51 electric campsites. Make campsite reservations at www.reserveamerica.com.

Approximate Distances according to Mapquest

Springfield to Panther Creek 41 minutes, 32 miles

Bloomington to Panther Creek 1:29, 83 miles

Chicago to Panther Creek 3:56, 218 miles

Peoria to Panther Creek 1:32, 72 miles

St. Louis to Panther Creek 2:09, 133 miles

Refund Policy

No refunds will be provided. At the discretion of the Race Director a Transfer arrangement may be possible. No last minute requests will be considered.

RACE SUMMARY

Half Marathon

Start Time

8:30am

Pre-race meeting 8:15

Half Marathon FOLLOW HIGH VISIBILITY ORANGE RIBBONS AND SIGNS

10K/Quarter Marathon Trail Run

Start Time
9:00am

Pre-race meeting 8:45

10K FOLLOW HIGH VISIBILITY ORANGE RIBBONS AND SIGNS.

5k Fun Run and Walk

Start Time

9:30am

Pre-race meeting 9:15

FOLLOW HIGH VISIBILITY YELLOW RIBBONS AND SIGNS

Thank a Volunteer

And on behalf of the Race Staff, Thank You. See you next year. Trek On.

Tri Smarter

Tri Smarter is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization and your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law.

To claim a donation as a deduction on your U.S. taxes, please keep your email donation receipt as your official record.

The Tri Smarter website is located at www.trismrtr.com

This event is a fund raiser for the site, local rescue squad, EMS, Police and school and community groups.

Please send all training and racing questions to trismrtr@gmail.com and we will get them answered to help you become a faster, stronger, safer and healthier endurance athlete.

REMEMBER:

It’s not SWEAT. It’s LIQUID AWESOME
No Shotguns, only TRAIL RUNS
No blaze orange required, only blazing speed
Road runners look ahead to the road, trail runners look down to the trail

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